Deflector for vehicle

ABSTRACT

A deflector for use with railcars and containers. The deflector may be used to retrofit railcars and other container to reduce aerodynamic drag. The deflector may be collapsible for use with stacked containers.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority from U.S. Application No. 62/845,271filed on May 8, 2019, entitled “Railcar and Container Deflector” whichis hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a deflector for use with railcars andcontainers. More particularly, it concerns a deflector that can be usedto retrofit railcars to reduce aerodynamic drag.

BACKGROUND

Intermodal shipping containers are ubiquitous in industry. Their largecapacity and ability to stack on top of each other make them ideal fortransporting large quantities of products. Unfortunately, therectangular shape of the container, although useful for maximizingcapacity and stacking capability, is not aerodynamically efficient. Whentransported by train, the gap in between the train cars causes much ofthis aerodynamic resistance. This inefficiency requires consumption ofmore fuel to move the container, leading to increased transport costs,increased pollution, reductions in train velocity, and other issues.

Reducing the amount of drag produced by the shipping containers is nosimple task. Redesigning the whole container would be costly and mayrequire new infrastructure to accommodate the new container design;moreover, it may affect the container's capacity or stackingcapabilities. Modifying an existing container presents similarchallenges: piercing or welding the container may reduce the container'scapacity or expose its contents to the environment. Installing a deviceor changing the shape of the top of the container may reduce, oraltogether remove, the container's ability to stack. Furthermore, aninstalled device must be able to withstand the environmental conditionsto which shipping containers are subjected, particularly wind, rain, andUV exposure. Installing a flexible device to cover the intercar gap ontrains is generally impractical, as the gap allows for a wider turnradius and easier coupler access. Further, such a device would becumbersome because cars are often switched between trains.

What is needed is a device that provides an effective way to reduce dragwithout sacrificing the container's ability to stack, reducing thecontainer's capacity, or modifying the container's original design.

Various objects, features and advantages of this disclosure will becomeapparent from the following detailed description, which, taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, which depict, by way ofillustration and example, certain embodiments of this deflector forintermodal containers and railcars.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides a deflector for use with railcars andcontainers. The deflector can be used to retrofit intermodal containersto reduce aerodynamic drag and/or pressure drag on intermodalcontainers. The deflector may be collapsible and may also have shapememory properties. The deflector may be permanently attached to asurface of the intermodal container. The deflector may be removablyattached to one or more surface of an intermodal container.

As an example, the deflector for use with an intermodal container mayhave a base. The base may a top surface and a bottom surface. The topsurface and the bottom surface may be opposite one another. The bottomsurface may be configured to be attached to a surface of the intermodalcontainer. The deflector may also have a sidewall. The sidewall maycomprise an inner surface and an outer surface opposite the innersurface. The sidewall may be collapsible. The deflector may also have afirst end and a second end opposite the first end. The deflector mayalso have a top wall that is connected to the base and the sidewall. Thetop wall, the base, and the sidewall may be connected to one another toform a triangular prism shape or a wedge shape. The base may beconnected to the sidewall to form an internal volume. The base,sidewall, and top wall may be connected to form an internal volume. Theinternal volume may be divided by a divider. The internal volume may behollow. The internal volume may be filled. The base may be formed from acontinuous material. The top wall may be formed from a continuousmaterial. The sidewall may be formed from a continuous material. Thedeflector may also have a bonding complex. The bonding complex may haveone or more adhesive layers. The bonding complex may also have a foamlayer. The sidewall of the deflector may be curved. The top wall of thedeflector may be curved. The deflector may be formed from a shape memorymaterial. The shape memory material may be ethylene propylene diene(EPDM) rubber. The top wall, the base, the sidewall, and the divider maybe removably attached to one another. The adhesive complex may bepermanent to permanently attach the deflector to a surface of theintermodal container. The adhesive complex may be temporary totemporarily or removably attach the deflector to a surface of theintermodal container. A portion of the first or second end of thedeflector may be partially sealed. A portion of the first or second endof the deflector may be partially unsealed.

As another example, the deflector for use with an intermodal containermay have a base. The base may a top surface and a bottom surface. Thetop surface and the bottom surface may be opposite one another. Thebottom surface may be configured to be attached to a surface of theintermodal container. The deflector may also have a sidewall. Thesidewall may comprise an inner surface and an outer surface opposite theinner surface. The sidewall may be collapsible. The deflector may have adivider. The divider may have a top edge and a bottom edge. The top edgeof the divider may be attached to the inner surface of the top wall andthe bottom edge may be attached to the top surface of the base. Thedeflector may also have a first end and a second end opposite the firstend. The first end may be partially unsealed. The deflector may alsohave a bonding complex to permanently bond the deflector to a topsurface of an intermodal container. The top wall, the base, and thesidewall may be connected to one another to form a triangular prismshape or a wedge shape. The inner surface of the top wall, the innersurface of the sidewall, and the top surface of the base may define aninternal volume. The internal volume may be bisected by the divider. Thedeflector may be formed from a shape memory material comprising ethylenepropylene diene rubber. The deflector is collapsible when a sufficientweight is placed on the deflector. The deflector returns to an expandedconfiguration when the sufficient weight is removed from the deflector.

Drag pressure on intermodal containers may be reduced by providing adeflector and attaching the deflector to a surface of an intermodalcontainer. The deflector may be placed on a top surface of theintermodal container. The deflector may have a base. The base may a topsurface and a bottom surface. The top surface and the bottom surface maybe opposite one another. The bottom surface may be configured to beattached to a surface of the intermodal container. The deflector mayalso have a sidewall. The sidewall may comprise an inner surface and anouter surface opposite the inner surface. The sidewall may becollapsible. The deflector may have a divider. The divider may have atop edge and a bottom edge. The top edge of the divider may be attachedto the inner surface of the top wall and the bottom edge may be attachedto the top surface of the base. The deflector may also have a first endand a second end opposite the first end. The first end may be partiallyunsealed. The deflector may also have a bonding complex to permanentlybond the deflector to a top surface of an intermodal container. The topwall, the base, and the sidewall may be connected to one another to forma triangular prism shape or a wedge shape. The inner surface of the topwall, the inner surface of the sidewall, and the top surface of the basemay define an internal volume. The internal volume may be bisected bythe divider. The deflector may be formed from a shape memory materialcomprising ethylene propylene diene rubber. The deflector is collapsiblewhen a sufficient weight is placed on the deflector. The deflectorreturns to an expanded configuration when the sufficient weight isremoved from the deflector.

Various objects, features and advantages of this disclosure will becomeapparent from the following detailed description, which, taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, which depict, by way ofillustration and example, certain embodiments of this deflector forintermodal container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to describe the manner in which the advantages and features ofthe present inventive concept can be obtained, reference is made toembodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings.Understanding that these drawings depict only exemplary embodiments ofthe present inventive concept and are not, therefore, to be consideredto be limiting of its scope, the principles herein are described andexplained with additional specificity and detail through the use of theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIGS. 1A-C are perspective views of a deflector in accordance with thedisclosure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the deflector shown in association withan intermodal container.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the deflector shown in association with anintermodal container.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the deflector.

FIG. 5 is a side view of an intermodal container without a deflector.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the deflector shown in association with anintermodal container.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the deflector shown in association withan intermodal container.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the deflector and the bonding complexshown in association with an intermodal container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A deflector for use with railcars and intermodal containers according tothe present disclosure is generally designated by the reference numeral1 and is shown in FIG. 1A in an exemplary installation on one type ofdeflector 1. The deflector 1 is depicted in an expanded configuration.The deflector disclosed herein provides benefit of deflecting air asrailcars move. The deflector also provides the benefit of beingcollapsible, allowing for less expensive shipping.

FIGS. 1-8 depict an embodiment of the deflector 1. As shown in FIGS.1A-C, the deflector has a base 10 that supports the deflector 1. Thedeflector 1 also has a sidewall 30 connected to the base 10. Thedeflector 1 also has a top wall 30 connected to the base 10 and thesidewall. In this regard, the base 10, sidewall 20, and top wall 30 areconnected to one another to form a triangular prism that defines aninternal volume 80. As shown in FIG. 1A, the internal volume 80 may bebisected by a divider 50 A-C to form a first sub-internal volume 81A anda second sub-internal volume 81B. The deflector 1 may have a first end 2opposite a second end 3.

As shown in FIGS. 1A-C, the base 10 of the deflector 1 has a top surface12 and a bottom surface 14 opposite the top surface 12. The top surface12 of the base 10 faces the internal volume 80. The base 10 may have arectangular shape. In this regard, the base 10 may have a first edge 11opposite a second edge 13. The first edge 11 is configured to beattached to the top wall 30. The second edge 13 is configured to beattached to the sidewall 20.

The base 10 has a width and a length. The width of the base 10 may beone inch. As a non-limiting example, the base 10 may have a width lessor more than one inch. The base 10 may be rectangle. The base 10 may beother shapes such as square. The base 10 may be one inch thick. Inanother example, the base 10 may be less than one inch thick. In anotherexample, the base 10 may be more than one inch thick.

As shown in FIGS. 1A-C, the sidewall 20 of the deflector 1 has an innersurface 22 and an outer surface 24 opposite the inner surface 22. Theinner surface 22 of the sidewall 20 faces the internal volume 80. Thesidewall 20 may have a rectangular shape. In this regard, the sidewall20 may have a first edge 21 opposite a second edge 23. The first edge 21is configured to be attached to the base 10. The second edge 23 isconfigured to be attached to the top wall 30.

The sidewall 20 has a width and a length. The width of the sidewall 20may be one inch. As a non-limiting example, the sidewall 20 may have awidth less or more than one inch. The sidewall 20 may be rectangle. Thesidewall 20 may be other shapes such as square. The sidewall 20 may becurved. As an example, the sidewall 20 may be convex. As anotherexample, the sidewall 20 may be concave. The sidewall 20 may be one inchthick. In another example, the sidewall 20 may be less than one inchthick. In another example, the sidewall 20 may be more than one inchthick. The deflector 1 may be collapsible. In this regard, the sidewall20 may be configured to collapse when a sufficient amount of weight isplaced on the deflector 1. As an example, as shown in FIG. 3, when anintermodal container 70 is placed on top of the deflector 1, thedeflector 1 may collapse. Because the sidewall 20 is collapsible, thesidewall 20 may have pleats similar to an accordion. In another example,the sidewall 20 may have a notch 29 or area that is less thick than therest of the sidewall 20, providing a location where the sidewall 20 mayfold inward or fold outward with respect to the sub-volume 81A.Similarly, the top wall 30 may have a notch or area that is less thickthan the rest of the top wall 30, providing a location where the topwall 30 may fold inward with respect to the internal sub-volumes 81 A-C.It should be appreciated that any of the base 10, sidewall 20, top wall30, or the dividers 50 A-C may have a notch or area that is less thickthan the rest of the base 10, sidewall 20, top wall 30, or the dividers50 A-C, providing a location where the base 10, sidewall 20, top wall30, or the dividers 50 A-C may fold inward or outward with respect tothe internal sub-volumes 81 A-C. In some examples, the deflector 1 maybe used with railcars or intermodal containers that are not stacked. Insuch examples, the deflector 1 may not be collapsible. Innon-collapsible examples, the deflector 1, may be formed from a hardplastic.

As shown in FIGS. 1A-C, the top wall 30 of the deflector 1 has an innersurface 32 and an outer surface 34 opposite the inner surface 32. Theinner surface 32 of the top wall 30 faces the internal volume 80. Thetop wall 30 may have a rectangular shape. In this regard, the top wall30 may have a first edge 31 opposite a second edge 33. The first edge 31is configured to be attached to the sidewall 20. The second edge 33 isconfigured to be attached to the base 10.

The top wall 30 has a width and a length. The width of the top wall 30may be one inch. As a non-limiting example, the top wall 30 may have awidth less or more than one inch. As shown, in FIG. 3, the top wall 30may be rectangle. The top wall 30 may be other shapes such as square.The top wall 30 may be curved. As an example, the top wall 30 may beconvex. As another example, the top wall 30 may be concave. The top wall30 may be one inch thick. In another example, the top wall 30 may beless than one inch thick. In another example, the top wall 30 may bemore than one inch thick.

The base 10, side wall, and top wall 30 are connected to one another.The second edge 13 of the base 10 is connected to the first edge 21 ofthe sidewall 20. The second edge 23 of the sidewall 20 is connected tothe first edge 31 of the top wall 30. The second edge 33 of the top wall30 is connected to the first edge 11 of the base 10. In this regard, thebase 10, sidewall 20, and top wall 30 are connected to one another toform a triangular prism. The edges that are connected to one another maybe permanently attached to one another. In another example, the edgesmay also be removably attached to one another. One of skill in the artwill appreciate that the deflector 1 may have more than three walls toform other shapes such as cube, rectangular prism, or any other shapeknown in the art.

As shown in FIG. 1A, the divider 50A bisecting the internal volume 80has a first side surface 52 opposite a second side 54. The divider hasas top edge 51 and a bottom edge 53 opposite the top edge 51. The topedge 51 is attached to the inner surface of the top wall 30. The bottomedge 53 of the divider is connected to the top surface 12 of the base10. In this regard, the divider 50 A divides the internal volume 80 intoa first sub volume 81A and a second sub volume 81B. It should beappreciated that, as shown in FIGS. 1B-C, the deflector 1 may have morethan one divider 50 A-C. It should also be appreciated that, as shown inFIG. 1B, the deflector 1 may have more than one sub-volume 81 A-C. Eachof the sub-volumes 81 A-C may be hollow. In some examples, one or all ofthe sub-volumes may be filled with a suitable material. The suitablematerial used for filing the sub-volumes 81 A-C may be the same materialas the base 10, sidewall 20, and top wall 30. The sub-volumes 81 AB mayalso be filled with a material that is different from the material usedto form the base 10, sidewall 20, and top wall 30. In some examples,each sub-volume 81 A-C is filled with the same material. In otherexamples, each sub-volume 81 A-C is filled with a different materialfrom the other sub-volumes 81 A-C. In some examples, each sub-volume 81A-C is filled. In other examples, at least one sub-volume 81 A-C isfilled and the other sub-volumes 81 A-C are not filled. As shown in FIG.1A, the divider 50 A is perpendicular to the base 10. In anotherexample, as shown in FIGS. 1B-1C, the divider 50 A-C may be slanted ornon-perpendicular in relation to the base 10.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, one or both of the first end 2 or the secondend 3 may be sealed or closed. This may assist in reducing pressure dragon the intermodal container 70. As shown in FIG. 1, the one or both ofthe first end 2 or the second end 3 of the deflector 1 may be open. Insome examples, one or both of the first end 2 or the second end 3 may betapered.

As shown in FIG. 8, the deflector 1 may include a bonding complex 60.The bonding complex 60 may have a first adhesive layer 61 and a secondadhesive layer 65. The bonding complex 60 may also include a foam layer62. The foam layer 62 may have a top foam surface 63 and a bottom foamsurface 64 opposite the top foam surface. The first adhesive may beapplied to the top foam surface 64. The foam layer 62 may provide addeddurability to the deflector 1 when the deflector 1 is attached to anintermodal container. The second adhesive may be applied to the bottomfoam surface 65. The bonding complex 60 may be used to attach thedeflector 1 to a surface of an intermodal container 70.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 6, and 7, the bonding complex 60 may be used toattach the deflector 1 to the top surface 72 of an intermodal container70. As shown, the deflector 1 may be attached to the top surface 72 ofan intermodal container 70 near the first end 71 or the second end 73 ofthe intermodal container 70. In some examples, the deflector 1 may beattached to one or more side surface 74AB of the intermodal container70. In another example, more than one deflector 1 may be attached to theintermodal container 70. It should be appreciated that the deflector 1may be used to reduce pressure drag on any type of railway vehicle knownin the art, including, but not limited to passenger railcars, freightcontainers, ancillary vehicles, military railway vehicles, andmaintenance vehicles. It should also be appreciated that the deflector 1may be used on any type of freight container, including, but notlimited, to container railway vehicles, bulk freight railway vehicles,specialist use railway vehicles, and multi-modal railway vehicles. Themulti-modal vehicles may include, but are not limited to, roadrailer,modalohr road trailer carriers, well car, and intermodal cars such asbulk freezing containers, flat rack containers, insulated containers,refrigerated containers, open top containers, custom containers, and anyother container known in the art. It should also be appreciated that thedeflector 1 may be used for decreasing pressure drag on containerstransported by other means such as by road or by sea.

Because the deflector 1 may be used to retrofit an intermodal container70, the deflector 1 may have a length appropriate to extend almost theentire width of the intermodal container 70. As an example, thedeflector 1 may have a length up to 9 feet. An advantage of thedeflector 1 is the ability to collapse or deform under a sufficientweight and return to the original shape once the weight is removed. Asshown in FIG. 2, the deflector 1 may be used with stackable intermodalcontainers. When stackable intermodal containers 70 are stacked theremay be a gap between the intermodal containers. The deflector 1 isconfigured to collapse to a height small enough to fit between stackedintermodal containers 70 without damaging the deflector 1 or theintermodal container 70. In this regard, the deflector 1 may have a oneinch height when in an expanded configuration and have a collapsedheight that is 0.5 inches or less, as shown in FIG. 3. In some examples,the deflector 1 may have a collapsed height of 0.4 inches or less. Inother examples, the deflector 1 may have a collapsed height that is morethan 0.5 inches. It should be appreciated that the deflector 1 may havea height in an expanded configuration that is more than one inch.Because the deflector 1 may be attached to a flat surface or a non-flatsurface, the base 10, side wall 20, top wall 30, and bonding complex 60may be flexible to conform to a non-flat surface.

In use, the deflector 1 is installed on an intermodal container 70 byattaching the first adhesive 61 of the bonding complex 60 to the bottomsurface 14 of the base 10. The top surface 63 of foam layer 62 may beattached to the first adhesive 61. The bottom surface 64 of foam layer62 may be attached to the second adhesive 65. The second adhesive 65 maybe attached to a top surface 72 of the intermodal container 70. Inanother example, the second adhesive 65 may be attached to a sidesurface 74AB of the intermodal container 70. As shown in FIG. 6, oncethe deflector 1 is attached to the intermodal container 70, thedeflector 1 may reduce pressure drag on an intermodal container behindthe deflector 1 by forcing airflow over a gap between. As shown in FIG.5, intermodal containers 70 transported without deflectors 1 may beimpacted by pressure drag. The deflector 1 does not significantlyincrease downforce.

While the present disclosure has been described with reference tovarious embodiments, it will be understood that these embodiments areillustrative and that the scope of the disclosure is not limited tothem. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that variations from thespecific embodiments disclosed above are contemplated by the invention.Many variations, modifications, additions, and improvements arepossible. More generally, embodiments in accordance with the presentdisclosure have been described in the context of particularimplementations. Functionality may be separated or combined in blocksdifferently in various embodiments of the disclosure or described withdifferent terminology. These and other variations, modifications,additions, and improvements may fall within the scope of the disclosureas defined in the claims that follow.

What is claimed is:
 1. A deflector comprising: a top wall; a basecomprising: a top surface and a bottom surface, the bottom surfaceconfigured to be attached to a surface of a vehicle; a sidewallcomprising: an inner surface and an outer surface opposite the innersurface, wherein the sidewall is collapsible and the top wall isconnected to the base and sidewall to form an acute triangular prismshape; a first longitudinal end; and a second longitudinal end.
 2. Thedeflector of claim 1, wherein the base is connected to the sidewall toform an internal volume.
 3. The deflector of claim 2, further comprisinga divider, wherein the divider bisects the internal volume.
 4. Thedeflector of claim 3, wherein the top wall, the base, the sidewall, andthe divider are removably attached to one another.
 5. The deflector ofclaim 2, wherein the internal volume is filled with foam.
 6. Thedeflector of claim 1, wherein at least one of the base, the top wall,and the sidewall is formed from a continuous material.
 7. The deflectorof claim 1, further comprising a bonding complex, the bonding complexcomprising an adhesive layer.
 8. The deflector of claim 7, wherein thebonding complex further comprises a foam layer.
 9. The deflector ofclaim 7, wherein the bonding complex is permanent, wherein the deflectoris configured to be permanently attached to the surface of the vehicle.10. The deflector of claim 7, wherein the bonding complex is temporary,wherein the deflector is configured to be temporarily attached to thesurface of the vehicle.
 11. The deflector of claim 1, wherein at leastone of the top wall and the sidewall is curved.
 12. The deflector ofclaim 1, wherein the deflector is formed from a shape memory materialcomprising ethylene propylene diene rubber.
 13. The deflector of claim1, wherein the vehicle is a railway vehicle.
 14. The deflector of claim1, wherein at least a portion of the first longitudinal end and thesecond longitudinal end are unsealed.
 15. The deflector of claim 1,wherein the first longitudinal end and the second longitudinal end aresealed.
 16. The deflector of claim 1, further comprising a bondingcomplex configured to permanently bond the deflector to the surface ofthe vehicle, the bonding complex comprising a first adhesive layer, asecond adhesive layer, a top foam surface, and a bottom foam surfaceopposite the top foam surface, the first adhesive layer applied to thetop foam surface and the second adhesive layer applied to the bottomfoam surface.
 17. A deflector comprising: a base comprising: a topsurface and a bottom surface, the bottom surface configured to beattached to a top surface of a railway vehicle; a sidewall comprising:an inner surface and an outer surface opposite the inner surface,wherein the sidewall is collapsible; a top wall comprising an innersurface and an outer surface; a divider, wherein the divider has a topedge and a bottom edge, wherein the top edge is attached to the innersurface of the top wall and the bottom edge is attached to the topsurface of the base; a first longitudinal end, wherein at least aportion of the first longitudinal end is unsealed; a second longitudinalend, wherein at least a portion of the second longitudinal end isunsealed; and a bonding complex configured to permanently bond thedeflector to the top surface of the railway vehicle, the bonding complexcomprising a first adhesive layer, a second adhesive layer, a top foamsurface, and a bottom foam surface opposite the top foam surface, thefirst adhesive layer applied to the top foam surface and the secondadhesive layer applied to the bottom foam surface, wherein the top wall,the base, and the sidewall are connected to form a triangular prismshape, wherein the inner surface of the top wall, the inner surface ofthe sidewall, and the top surface of the base define an internal volume,wherein the divider bisects the internal volume, wherein the deflectoris formed from a shape memory material comprising ethylene propylenediene rubber, wherein the deflector is collapsible when a sufficientweight is placed on the deflector, and wherein the deflector returns toan expanded configuration when the sufficient weight is removed from thedeflector.
 18. A method of reducing pressure drag, the methodcomprising: providing a deflector, the deflector comprising: a basecomprising: a top surface and a bottom surface, the bottom surfaceconfigured to be attached to a surface of a railway vehicle; a sidewallcomprising: an inner surface and an outer surface opposite the innersurface, wherein the sidewall is collapsible; a top wall comprising aninner surface and an outer surface; a divider; a first longitudinal end,wherein at least a portion of the first longitudinal end is unsealed; asecond longitudinal end, wherein at least a portion of the secondlongitudinal end is unsealed; and a bonding complex configured topermanently bond the deflector to the surface of the railway vehicle,the bonding complex comprising a first adhesive layer, a second adhesivelayer, a top foam surface, and a bottom foam surface opposite the topfoam surface, the first adhesive layer applied to the top foam surfaceand the second adhesive layer applied to the bottom foam surface,wherein the top wall, the base, and the sidewall are connected to form atriangular prism shape, wherein the inner surface of the top wall, theinner surface of the sidewall, and the top surface of the base define aninternal volume, wherein the divider bisects the internal volume, andwherein the deflector is formed from a shape memory material comprisingethylene propylene diene rubber, and attaching the deflector to thesurface of the railway vehicle by attaching the bonding complex to thesurface of the railway vehicle.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein thedeflector is attached to a top surface of the railway vehicle.